Ink-well support.



- W. J. SOMERVILLE.

INK WELL SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16. I913.

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WILLIAM J. SOMERVILLE, or CLEVELAND, OHIO.

INK-WELL sorron'r.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 6, 1916.

Application filed June 16, 1913. Serial No. 773,869.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, lVILLIAM J. SOMER-VILLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in thecounty of Cuyahoga 7 and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new anduseful Improvement in Ink-Well Supports, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings.

This invention relates to inkwell supports, and particularly to thatvariety of the same which are permanently mounted within an aperture ina desk, the cover of the inkwell being flat and substantially flush withthe top surface of the desk.

Among the objects of the invention are the provision of a device of thischaracter all of the parts of which may be'made of sheet metal by rapidand expeditious operations, such as pressing and die-cutting; theprovision of a device of this character which can be assembled with aminimum of expense; the provision of a design for inkwell supports whichshall permit the same to be manufactured from the smallest possiblequantity of metal; while further objects and advantages of thisinvention will appear as the description proceeds.

In my prior patent granted June 7, 1910, No. 960,726, I have illustratedand claimed an inkwell support made entirely of sheet metal and designedto be introduced into an aperture in a desk top so that the top surfaceof the top plate shall be exactly flush with the surface of the wood.The appearance of such an inkwell when properly located is veryattractive, but it necessitates an aperture of exact size which is verydifficult to obtain, so that in the design of the present inkwellsupport I have adopted a different construction, wherein the top plateof the inkwell shall overlie the desk top adjacent to the aperture thusrendering less important the exact size of the latter.

Generally speaking, this invention resides in the constructions andcombinations 'recited in the claims hereto annexed and illustrated inthe drawings accompanying and forming a part of this application,wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the completed inkwell support andinkwell in place in a desk, a portion of the desk top being brokenaway;.Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sec- .tional view through the inkwelland support; Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken upon theline 33 of Fig. 2 and looking upwardly; Fig. e is a perspective viewshowing the various parts of the inkwell support in separated conditionbut in the correct relative positions as regards each other; Fig. 5 is aplan View of the cap member immediately after being stamped out of themetal sheet and before being bent; Fig. 6 is a similar View of the bodyblank; and Fig. 7 is a detail View of the cover hinge, the parts beingdrawn to enlarged scale.

Describing the parts by reference characters, my improved inkwellsupport comprises generally three members, a frame denoted generally byA (Fig. a), a cover de noted generally by B, and a cap memberrepresented generally by C. The frame member is formed from an oblongrectangular sheet metal blank shown in Fig. 6 which illustrates itscondition after the first dieoperation. In this view the circle definedby the curved line 1 indicates what is to be the inkwell receivingspace, the dotted circle 2 indicates what is to be the outer edge of theframe, and the marginal portions defined by the lines 3-3 will laterform the gripping and steadying tongues. The shorter end 4& of thisblank will ultimately be turned downwardly to form the hinge shield 4:,while the other and longer end 5 will be bent downwardly to form theinkwell shield The portion 5 of the blank is formed with two parallelspaced slots 6'6 defining a tongue 7 which extends from a point near thefree edge of this por- I tion of the blank to an integral connectionwith the portion P at the opposite side of the circle 1, this tongue andits slot being formed at the same time with the formation of theremainder of the blank. Projecting inwardly beyond the line of thecircle 1 at each side of the tongue 7 is a slotted ear '8 and also a lug9 7 After having been struck to the form shown in Fig. 6, the blank isbent by means of 'other dies to the form shown at A in Fig;

4, the portion 10 at the outside of the circle 2 being turned downwardlyat a right angle to form the cylindrical flange 10, shown in Fig. 4, theportions l and 5 of the blank being bent downwardly to form arcuatedepending shields l and 5 respectively, and the tongue 7 being displaceddownwardly to H9 form an inkwell receiving recess. Also the ears 8 8 arefolded downwardly about the dotted lines 8 -8 forming slotted ears 88,as shown in Fig. l. This turns the apertures of these lugs into opennotches and at the same time doubles the thickness at this point so asto permit the use of a cover pivot of greater thickness without at thesame time necessitating the-employment of a. heavier gage of metal forthe frame. The lugs 99 are bent downwardly to form steadying lugs orguides 99 which engage the sides of the inkwell as shown in Fig. 1 andsupport thesame. The edges of the blank adjacent to the portion 10 areformed with notches 1P, which, when the frame is formed form the slots11 and margins of the shields 4 and 5 between, these notches and theends of the same are turned outwardly to form biting ribs 1212 which arepreferably tapered somewhat from below upwardly the better to enter andengage the aperture in the desk. These notches render the ribs 1'2-12flexible so that the frame can be used in apertures of different size.

At its rearward end the tongue 7 first runs vertically for a distance,as at 15, then forwardly and downwardly as at 16, and then downwardlysubstantially in the plane of the ears 8 as shown at 17. The remainderof the tongue will be shaped to conform to the kind. of inkwell to beused, but may conveniently be made horizontal for a distance adjacent tothe portion 17 as shown in Fig. 2. \Vith this arrangement the portions15 and 16 of the tongue-together with the rearward wall of the inkreceptacle form a housing for the rearward end of the cover and preventthe same from being obstructed by books or other articles.

Secured to the upper end of the frame member is the cap member shown atC in Fig. 4. This member is made from the circular blank shown at 20 inFig. 5. The circle 21 is substantially of the same diameter as thecircle 1 and similarly defines the inkwell-receiving recess. Projectinginwardly from upon opposite sides of said circle are integral ears 2222,the distance between the adjacent faces of these ears be ing the same asthe distance between the adjacent ends of the ears 88 shown in Fig. 4:-Also projecting inwardly from this circle are securing lugs 23 which,when the cap member is secured to the frame, are bent downwardly intonotches 2424c formed in the frame and clenched in engagement therewith.Also the ears 22-=*.22 are folded around and beneath the ears 8-8 asclearly shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 7, thus at the same time securingthecap member to the frame and forming closed recesses for the reception ofthe cover hinges.

The cover member is shown at B and com prises a flat metal plate '30shaped to conform to the aperture in the cap member .0, the rearward endof the cover member being formed with a parallel edged extension 31adapted to fit between. the edges of the ears 2222. Projecting laterallyfrom each edge of this extension is an integral tongue 32 received inthe notches of the ears 88 and secured in place by the ears 2222 asdescribed. These tongues are preferably offset or displaced downwardlyfrom the plane of the cover so as to bring that plane substantiallyflush with the surface of the plate 20 of the cap member, as illustratedin Figs. 2 and 7.

It will be obvious that my improved inkwell support consists of thefewest possible number of parts, that said parts brace and support eachother very efficiently, that the formation of the tongue 7 provides avery secure seat for the inkwell, that the flange 5 securely guards saidinkwell against being upset or displaced by books or the like. thatperience shows to be the most advantageous, 1

I am not restricted to such details, excepting as the same may berecited in the claims hereto annexed or disclosed in, the prior state ofthe art; since modifications of the present construction may be resortedto without completely losing the advantages of my invention.

- Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. An inkwellsupport comprising a frame made from a single piece of sheet metal, acentral portion of which is partially severed from the surroundingportions and displaced to form a cavity for the reception of the inkreceptacle, the portions of said piece of metal surrounding said centralportion forming a circular stiffening portion, and the marginal portionsof said piece being bent downwardly and drawn to cylindrical form toprovide shielding and desk-engaging members.

2. An inkwell support comprising a frame made from a single elongatedoblong piece of sheet metal, the central portion of which is aperturedfor the reception of the ink receptacle, and the end portions of whichare bent downwardly to form shielding and desk engaging members, saiddownturned portions taken together defininga substantially cylindricalfigure, substantially concentric with such aperture," and a cap memberformed of a single piece of sheet metal of annular form havingdown-turned lugs engaging said frame.

3. An inkwell support for desks comprising a frame made from a singleelongated oblong piece of sheet metal, the central portion of which isapertured for the reception of the ink receptacle and the end portionsof which are bent downwardly to form shields, the edges of said shieldsbeing bent outwardly to engage the sides of the deskaperture.

4:. An inkwell support comprising a frame made from a single elongatedoblong piece of sheet metal, the central portion of which is aperturedfor the reception of the ink receptacle and the end portions of whichare bent downwardly to form shielding and desk engaging members, a capmember formed of a single piece of sheet metal and having downturnedlugs engaging said frame, said cap member having an aperture registeringwith the aperture of said frame, and a cover member pivoted between saidframe and said cap member.

5. An inkwell support for desks comprising, in combination, a frame madefrom a single piece of sheet metal, the central portion of which isapertured for the reception of the ink receptacle and the marginalportions of which are bent downwardly to engage the walls of the deskaperture, said frame member having notches therein at opposite sides ofsaid aperture, a cap mem ber formed of a single piece of sheet metal,and having downturned lugs engaging said frame, said cap member havingan aperture registering with the aperture of said frame, and a covermember pivoted between said frame and said cap member and having lateralpintles projecting into said notches,

certain of said cap member lugs being folded about said notches so as toretain said pintles in place.

6. An inkwell support for desks comprising a frame made from a singlepiece of sheet metal, the central portion of which is apertured for thereception of the ink receptacle and the portions of which removed fromthe center are bent to a position substantially parallel to the axis ofsaid aperture and drawn to cylindrical form to provide shielding anddesk-engaging members, and an integral tongue connected to oppositeedges of said aperture and depressed to form a base support for said inkreceptacle.

7. An inkwell support for desks comprising a frame made from a singlepiece of sheet metal, the central portion of which is apertured for thereception of the ink receptacle and the portions of which removed fromthe center are bent downwardly to form shielding.and desk engagingportions, said shielding portions being of substantiallysemi-cylindrical form coaxial with said aperture, an integral tongueextending from one shield to the other across such aperture anddepressed out of the plane of said central portion and forming a basefor said ink receptacle, and a sheet metal cap member having downturnedears connected to said frame, said cap member having an apertureregistering with said first aperture.

8. An inkwell support for desks comprising, in combination, a frame madefrom a single oblong, elongated piece of sheet metal, the centralportion of which is apertured for the reception of the ink receptacleand the end portions of which are bent downwardly to form shielding anddesk engaging members, said downwardly bent portions being ofsubstantially semi-cylindrical form to fit within the desk aperture, andone of said end portions being formed with a pair of parallel slitssubstantially parallel to its axis and defining an integral tongue whichis displaced out of the plane of said apertured portion to form a basefor the ink receptacle, said tongue being integrally connected to saidframe at each of its ends.

9. An inkwell support for desks comprising, in combination, a frame madefrom a single oblong, elongated piece of sheet metal, the centralportion of which is apertured for the reception of the ink receptacleand the end portions of which are bent downwardly to form shielding anddesk engaging members, said downwardly bent portions being ofsubstantially semi-cylindrical form to fit within the desk aperture, andone of said end portions being formed with a pair of parallel slitssubstantially parallel to its axis and defining an integral tongue whichis displaced out of the plane of said apertured H portion to form a basefor the ink receptacle, said tongue being integrally connected to saidframe at one end and to said end portion at its other end, and a sheetmetal cap member having down-turned lugs engaging said frame and havingan aperture registering with said frame aperture.

10. In an inkwell support for desks, a frame made from a single flatblank of sheet metal and comprising an annular portion forming the bodyof said frame, the parts of said blank outside of said annular portionbeing bent to a position substantially parallel with the axis of suchannulus and drawn to cylindrical form about such axis, and the portionsof said blank within said annular portion being displaced to formreceptacle supporting and engaging members.

11. In an inkwell support, a frame made from a single piece of sheetmetal and comprising an annular portion defining a re ceptacle-receivingspace, said frame having a pair of oppositely arranged notched earslocated in th plane of its upper face and also having its marginalportions bent downwardly to form shielding and desk engaging members, incombination with a cap memher having downturned lugs engaging saidframe, said cap member having an aperture registering with saidreceptacle-space, and a cover having pivot projections located in thenotches of said ears, certain of said lugs being folded about said earsto retain said pivot members in place.

1:2. In an inkwell support, a frame hav ing therein areceptacle-receiving space and a pair of oppositely arranged notchedears located on opposite sides of said space, in combination with a capmember having downturned lugs engaging said frame, said cap memberhaving an aperture registering with said receptacle space, and a coverhav ing pivot projections located in the notches of said ears, certainof said lugs being folded about said ears to retain said pivot membersin place.

13. An inkwell support, comprising a frame formed from a single oblongpiece of sheet metal having longitudinal slits upon opposite sides ofthe median line defining an integral tongue, the ends and sides of saidsheet metal piece bent to form shielding and desk engaging members andsaid tongue depressed to form a receptacle aperture, in combination withan annular sheet metal plate having downturned lugs engaging said frame,and a cover member pivoted between said cap member and frame.

1%. An inkwell support comprising a frame made from a single piece ofsheet metal and having a substantially fiat top formed with an aperturefor the reception of the ink receptacle, the edges of said aperturebeing formed with a pair of opposing apertured ears each of which isfolded back upon itself upon a line crossing said aperture so as to forman open notch, a cap member formed of a single piece of sheet metalhaving an aperture registering with the first aperture, the inner edgeof said cap member being formed with downturned lugs engaging said framemember, and a cover member having hinge projections located in saidnotches, certain of said lugs being folded about said ears so as toinclose said notches, and hold said hinge projections in place.

15. An inkwell' support comprising a frame made from a single piece ofsheet metal and having a substantially fiat top formed with an aperturefor the reception of the ink receptacle, the edges of said aperturebeing formed with a pair of opposing folded notched ears, a capmemberhaving an aperture registering with the first aperture and havingdownturned lugs engaging said frame member, and a cover member havingintegral laterally extending hinge projections located in saidnotches,said cap member having integral ears folded around said firstears and closing the notches therein, whereby said cover is held inplace.

16. An inkwell support comprising a frame made from. a single fiat pieceof sheet metal, a flat annular portion of said piece being left to formthe top of the frame, the outer margin of said annular portion beingdrawn at right angles to the plane thereof to form a cylindrical wallfor engagement with the sides of the desk aperture, one portion of saidwall being extended suliiciently to form a shield for th ink receptacle,an integral tongue out from the plane of said annular portion and bentdownwardly from the plane of said annular portion and forming a base forsaid ink receptacle, the rearward end of said tongue being connected tosaid frame at the opposite side of said inkwell recess, and a coverhinged tosaid frame and adapted to close the opening in said annularportion. I

17. An inkwell support for desks comprising a frame made from a singleelongated oblong piece of sheet metal, the central portion of which isapertured for the reception of the ink receptacl and the end portions ofwhich are bent downwardly to form shields, the edges of said endportions being notched adjacent to said central portion whereby themargins of said shields are rendered flexible, and said margins beingbent outwardly to engage thesides of the desk aperture. 18. An inkwellsupport for desks comprising a frame made from. a single elongatedoblong piece of sheet metal, the central portion of which is aperturedfor the reception of the ink receptacle and the end portions of whichare bent downwardly to form arcuate shields, said shields defining acircle slightly smaller than the desk aperture in which the same is tobe placed, the edges of said shields adjacent to said central portionbeing notched and the margins of said shields outside of said notchesbeing turned. outwardly to engage the walls of the desk aperture, and asheet metal cap member secured to the central portion of said frame andextending outwardly beyond the circle of said shields, said cap memberhaving an aperture registering with the aperture in said frame.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto a'IliX my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

.VlLLIrrh I J. SOMERVILLE.

Vitnesses HAROLD E. SMITH, BRENNAN B. WEST.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner 01' Patents, Washington. D. C.

